Joe Worrall looks set to remain on loan at Rangers beyond the January transfer window as Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka has said he will only recall the 21-year-old Englishman if his defensive injury crisis gets so bad that he has no alternative.

The young defender is beginning to find his feet at Ibrox and the Spaniard has moved to ease Rangers’ fears that he may be recalled to the City Ground during the winter window.

Steven Gerrard wants to keep him around and it is easy to see why; he has had some teething problems during his loan spell but he has the talent to be a regular in Rangers’ back four.

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That constant exposure to gametime is exactly what Worrall needs to get back to the standard that made him such a highly sought-after defender just last season.

Karanka will want that for Worrall as well; sitting on the bench at the City Ground is not going to progress the youngster on.

That means the decision to keep Worrall north of the border is best for all concerned, but Worrall has to step up to the mark with his performances to ensure he earns the gametime he needs.